Apparatus for flowing deep wells by stages



June 24, 1930. BESS APPARATUS FOR FLOWING DEEP WELLS BY STAGES FiledOct. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 24, 1930.

R. H. BESS APPARATUS FOR FLOWING DEEP WELLS BY STAGES Filed Oct. 24,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 24, 1930 UNI'ILED sr- 'rrs PATENTOFFICE ROBERT- H. BESS,OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR-TO J. E. B.DANIEL APPARATUS FOR FLOWING DEEPWELLS lBY STAGES Application filedOctober 24, 1928.

My invention is an apparatus for flowing deep wells by stages.

My invention is adapted principally for flowing oil wells using gas orair pressure and drawing first from a higher level and then fromsuccessive lower levels as the oil level in thewell drops in relationtothe oil pipe. i In operating deep oil Wells it is sometimes very dicult to start the flow of oil upwardly through the oil pipe. It quitefrequently happens in deep wells that the oil will rise to aconsiderable height above the oil sand in the well casing and that it isvery difficult to bring suflicient pressure on the top of the oil columnto start the oil flowing in the oil pipe which is immersed to aconsiderable extent in the oil column. sure either derived fromcompressors or compressor wells or ossibly air pressure is f the columnof oil, it is difficult to obtain a downward movement of this columnsufficient to start the oil flowing upwardly in the oil pipe. 2.5 Anobject of my invention is, in a gas pressure system of flowing wells, inwhich gas pressure is exerted on the top of a column of oil to cause theoil to flow upwardly in the oil pipe first at a higher level and whenthe oil drops to oradjacent this level then at succeeding lower levels.In this cedure the oil pipe at different depths and as soon as the oillevel reaches or approaches the highest inlet the flow through suchinlet stops and the next lowest inlet functions. 'As the oil rises inthe oil pipe to the same level that it occupies outside of the pipe andin the well b casing the pressures outside and inside the 4 pipe aretherefore balanced. Hence" when gas pressure is brought to bear on thetop of the oil column outside of the pipe by using my intakes the oilmay flow upwardly in the highest intake and start an upward flow of theoil already in the oil pipe. Then, when the flow of oil or oil and gasexceeds a certain amount, that is brings an external pressure to bear onthe upper intake greater than that of the inside column of oil, theintake- 1s closed and the next intake therebelow Although gas pres- 7pro.- is provided with intakes Serial No. 314,818.

begins to function in flowing the internal column of oil in the oilpipe.

Another object of my invention is the construction ofan intake port andvalve in an oil pipe, this valve being normally held open y acomparatively light spring pressure and .is designed so that when theoil level inside and outside of the oil pipe is the same and above anyparticular intake, that the valve X will remain open.- Therefore,considering an upper intake in a string of oil pipes, the externalpressure due to the gas pressureon top of the outside column causes thisoutside oil to flow through the upper valve and by means of the port isstarted in anupward 5 direction. The continuous pressure carries on theflow of oil through this upper inlet with the valve open. Then, as theoil level approaches or reaches the upper valve and gas begins to flowwith the oil through the intake, the increased rate of flow closes thevalve. Then, as no, oil can enter the upper intake, the external gaspressure on the external column. causes the intake next below tofunction in flowing the oil upwardly.

In constructing my invention I have a series of valve pipe sectionswhich may be coupled in a string of tubing or pipe separated by aconsiderable number of lengt s of such pipe. Each of these sections hasa valve formed of an intake port and a valve block adapted to seatthereon, this block belng mounted-on a slidable stem the stem extendinginwardly of the valve pipe section and being mounted in an upwardlydirected jet like nozzle structure. A comparatively light pressurespring'coiled on the stem and earifig against the nozzle structurethrusts the valve plug outwardly thus maintaining the seat at theportopening. A closure plug 0 g 1s positioned/ in the valve pi c sectiondirectly opposite the stem for t e purpose. of

adjusting the stem. Y

his construction as above mentioned having the series of intakes is suchthat the oil may flow between the valve plug and the seat of the portand upwardly through the jet type of nozzle, carrying with it the headof oilin the oil pipe above such intake.

While the oil flows comparatively slowly,

starts to flow fast as the level in the outside column approaches theupper intake or the gas under pressure flows down and through the upperintake, this closes the upper valve by bringing suflicient pressure tobear on the vvalve plug to seat it against the internal pressure'of thespring and the internal column of oil. The next lower intake then actsin carrying on the flow of oil upwardly in the oil pipe.

My invention'in one of its forms is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which;

Figure 1 is an elevation of a well showing the casing broken away and myintake valve pipe sections illustrated at different depths;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section diametrically through'one of the pipe valvesections;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 4: is-a vertical section of a modified construction omitting thevalve;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a further modified construction for an upwardflow between the pipe and the casing Fig. 6 isa vertical section of thevalve of Fig. 5. P

In Fig. 1 the well casing is indicated by the numeral 11 and in thiscasing there is a These oil pipes are string of oil pipes 12.

connected to a head 13 above the casing head i 14 and have dischargepipes 15. There is a pressure gas pipe 16 connected to the casing headto force gas under pressure into the casing. The natural level of theoilin the well is indicated by the numeral 17 and this may be a thousandfeet or more above the oil sands at the bottom of the well.

7 through which the oil flows into the casing.

Connected in the oil pipe string I have a series ofvalve pipe sections18, these being illustrated as being generally tubular in section andhaving screw threaded ends 19 fitting in the couplings 20. Each of thesepipe sections has a valve structure designated generally by the numeral21, this valve structure having an intake port 22 with a tapered seat 23thereabouts. A jet nozzle structure 24 discharges upwardly and a valvestem 25 is slidably mounted in the lower portion of the nozzle structureand has a valve plug 26 mounted therein adapted to form'a closureagainst the seat 23. A compression spring 27 bears against the abutment28 and the valve plug. A nut and lock nut 29 allow, adjustment of thecompression of the spring 27. The sections 18 may be screwed in the oiltubing.

' In axial alinement with the stem I have a closure plug 30 threaded ina hole in the valve pipe section so that this may be taken out to adjustthe tension of the spring 27. It will be noted that there is a bulge 31on passes this valve,

the upper and lower sides of the structure forming the seat 23 so thatwhen the valve plug is in its outermost position the plug cannotdirectly contact with the well casing. There are also bulges 32 on bothsides of the port 22, these form with the bulges 31 a ridge completelyprotecting the valve plug 26 from damag desirable that the valve pipesections 18 be bulged outso that the cross sectional area of the jetstructure will be substantially equal to the cross sectional area of theflow pipe. It is intended also that these intake valves be placed atdifferent depths in the well so that the upper one is the oil in thewell. My device is intended primarily for deep wells in which the oilrises to a considerable elevation above the bottom and above the bottomof the flow 1 e. P Ihe manner of action and functioning of my inventionis substantially as follows: The oil under its natural head without anygas pressure on the outside column, that is the column between the flowpipe and the casing will have the same level inside and below the highlevel of e by the well casing. It is 1 outside of the flow pipe. Whengas pressure forces downwardly on the outer column, this starts the flowof oil through the open port 22 of the upper valve structure and suchoil passes upwardly in the flow pipe until the below the uppermost valveor when such oil passes below and the pressure gas starts to flowupwardly to the flow pipe. Such gas pressure closes the valve andmaintains it closed. I

When the uppermost Valve is closed, the gas pressure forces the oilthrough the valve next below and this' inflowing oil at a lower depthmaintainsthe flow alread started. The level on the outside cplumn 0 oilgradually becomes lower and the gas pressure keeps the valve 26 closed.Then when the oil level approaches the second valve or such valve closesin the manner described for the uppermost valve andthe next lower valvebegins to function.

As the nozzle structures are requir to be somewhat small compared to thecross sectional area of the flow pipe, there may, if desired, be severalof these valves installed comparatively close-together to give arelatively large flow substantially in the same elevations.

In the construction of. Fig. 4, the intake pipe sections 35 have an openport 36 at one side and an upwardly extending jet nozzle 37,-there ishowever, no valve in this construction. The pipe section 35 is connecteding from the nozzle intake port 42 witha 'ing from the s 3 and a gaspressure is usedon the outer column of Oil between the flow pipe and thewell casing.

The manner of operation of the construction of Fig. 4 is by the gaspressure causing an inward flow oil through the verted upwardly anupward flow in the flow pipe. When the oil level of the outer column islowered below the upper intake -pipe a certain amount of gas will blowinto this intake and How upwardly with the inner oil column. Thishowever, acts'to lighten the inner column and carry it upwardly.

In the construction of Figs 5 and 6 there is a valve pipe section 40connected into an inner oil pipe in which the level of the oil risesabove the upper outlet valve. This valve as shown in Fig. 6 is providedwith a reverse nozzle head structure 41 havingan valve seat 43 adjacentthereto and an outlet port 44. The inlet port is closed by a valve plug45 on a slidable valve stem 46. The lower portion of this stem isslidable in a bracket 47 dependstructure 41, and the stem is pressedupwardly by a compression spring 48 hearing against a collar 49 on thestem and against an adjustable abutment 50 threaded in the bracket 47through which the stem slides. I 4

In the operation of the construction of Figs. 5 and 6, before gaspressure is introduced into the center reversefiow pipe the oil level ofthe outer column and the inner column are the same. Then, a downwardpressure of gas in the inner reverse flow pipe forces the oil leveldownwardly therein and such oil flows out through the port 44 andupwardly with the outer column. When this flow reaches a fairly highvelocity or subjected directly to the gas pressure in the reverse innerflow pipe, the valve plug 45 is seated, thus closing the outlet of theupper outlet valve. The outlet valvenext below then begins to functionuntil the oil is carried to a position adjacent this second valve. Qthervalves in succession may then be operated in a similar manner Variouschanges may be made 'in the principles of my invention withoutdepartpirit thereof as set forth in the specification, drawings andclaims.

I claim: a a

,1. An apparatus for flowing deep wells, comprising in combination aflow pipe adapted to extend to a considerable depth below the oil levelin a well casing, there being an outer column of oil between the pipeand the casing, and an inner column in the pipe, an intake valvepositioned beconnection with Figs. 1, 2 and Q from the outer column of.port 36. This flow is di-. by the nozzle 37 and gives tween the bottomof the-flow pipe and the level of the outer column, means to retain saidvalve normally open, means to exert pressure on the outer columnwhereby'the oil flows in the valve, said valve being con-h. structed toclose on the relative change of' interior and exterior pressures.

2. An apparatus for flowing deep wells comprising in combination a flowpipe adapted to extend to a considerable depth in the oil rising in thewell casing, there being an outer column of oil between the pipe and thecasing and an inner column in the pipe, an intake valve positionedbetween the surface of the outercolumn of oil and the bottom of the flowpipe, means to hold said valve open when subjected to substantiallyequal internal and external pressures, means to exert a pressure on theoutside column of oil, said oil flowing in the valve and upwardly in theflow pipe and said valve being constructed to close when subjected to arapid flow of the exterior oil column and the pressure on such column.

3. An apparatus for flowing wells comprising in combination a flow pipeadapted to extend a considerable distance into the oil of a well, therebeing an outer column of oil between the pipe and the well casing and aninternal column in the fiow pipe, an intake valve positioned of the flowpipe and the level of the outer column of oil, means to exert a gaspressure on the top of the outer column, said valve being open when thepressures inside and outside the flow pipe are substantially equal, theoil flowing inwardly of said valve and such valve closing when subjectedto increased pressure, such as or ra idly flowing oil.

n apparatus for flowing deep wells, comprising in combination a fiowpipe positioned in a well casing withthe main intake of the pipe aconsiderable distance below the surface of the oil on the casing, therebeing an external column of oil between the pipe and the casing and aninternal column in the pipe, tween the bottom of the pipe and the level'of the outer column, holding said valve open, means to exert pressureon the outer column and thereby flow oil upwardly through the flow pipethrough the intake valve, said intake valve closing when subjected to anouter pressure relatively greater than the pressure in the flow pipe.

5. An apparatus for flowing deep wells comprising in combination a flowpipe positioned with its main intake at a considerable depth below thelevel of oil in the well casing, there being an external column of oilbetween the pipe and the casing and an internal column in the pipe, aninta e valve positioned closer to the oil level of the outer between thebottom that of the gasan intake valve positioned bea spring normally aninner oil column in the pipe,

column than to the main intake, said valve having an upward discharge inthe flow pipe, the valve being maintained open when the internal andexternal pressures are substantially equal, means to exert pressure onthe outer column and thereby flow the outer oil into the flow pipe andupwardly, said valve'closing when subjected to a materially greaterexternal pressure than internal pressure.

6. An apparatus for flowing deep wells, comprising in combination a flowpipe positioned in a well casing with its main intake positioned aconsiderable distance below the oil level in the casing, there being anouter oil column between the pipe and the casing and an inner column inthe pipe, a valve pipe section in the flow pipe positioned between theouter oil level and the main intake, said valve having a port forming avalve seat at one side, a stem slidable in the valve pipe section andhaving a valve plug thereon, a spring normally pressing said plugoutwardly and opening the port, means to exert external pressure on theouter column and flow oil through the open valve, said valve closingwhen the external pressure is materially greater than the internalpressure in the flow pipe at the valve pipe section.

7. An apparatus for flowing deep wells, comprising in combination a flowpipe positioned in the well casing with its main intake a considerabledistance below the oil level in the casing, there being an outer oilcolumn between the pipe and the casing and an intake valve positionedinthe pipe between the oil level of the outer column and the mainintake, said valve being normallyopen when, the external and internalpressures are sub stantially equal, means to exert a gas pressure on theouter column and flow the outer column through the valve andiupwardlyzin the flow pipe, the said valve closing when subjected to the directaction of the compressed gas. a

8. In an apparatus for flowing deep wells, a valve pipe section havingmeans to connect same into a flow pipe of a deep well, a port on oneside of the pipe section having a valve seat, a valve plug forming aclosure therefor, means to normally hold said plug unseated and the portopen, the plug being adapted to close the port when subjected to greaterexternal than internal pressure.

9. In an apparatus for flowing deep wells, a valve pipe section adaptedfor connection in a flow pipe, a port on one side of said pipe section,a jet nozzle structure connected adjacent the port and dischargingupward 1y, a stem slidable in said nozzle structure and having the valveplug thereon adapted to seat against the port, means normally retainingsaid plug unseated, the said plug becoming seated when subjected to aflow of oil or gas under pressure greater on the exterior than on theinterior of the pipe section.

1Q. In an apparatus for flowing deep wells as claimed in claim 9, themeans to retain the plug in the open position comprising a spring, meanson the stem to' adjust the tension of the spring and a plug in th eopposite side of the pipe section to that of the port to give access tosaid means.

11. In an apparatus for flowing deep wells, a valve-pipe section havingmeans to connect same in a flow pipe, a valve in said section having anintake port at one side and an exterior marginal rim surrounding saidport, the port forming a valve seat, a nozzle structure port, a stemslidably mounted in said structure and carrying a valve plug, a springthrusting the plug outwardly, the plug being adapted to seat in theport, the said rim preventing contact of a well casing with the plug,said plug being adaptedto seat-when subjected to an external pressuregreater than the internal pressure.

12. In an apparatus for flowing deep wellsas claimed in claim 11, anopening in the pipe section diametrically opposite the port and inalinement with the stem, a closure plug therefor and means to adjust thestem to vary the tension of the spring accessible through the saidopening.

-In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ROBERT H. BESS. I

